Benchmark For Progress? $100 Billion Spent On Iraq War Contracts
So says the New York Times' James Risen, who got the figures from a Congressional Budget Office study to be released today. The study also finds that about 20 percent of the funding for the Iraq war goes to government contractors, who, at about 180,000, outnumber U.S. troops in Iraq.
The percentage could even be higher, though, as Pentagon money for war contractors has been notoriously difficult to audit.
Congressional scrutiny of Iraq war contracting has so far occurred on a scandal-by-scandal basis. A broader wartime contracting commission, which will oversee all war-related contracts from those that provide support to Iraq security forces to repairing the country's infrastructure, recently named seven of eight commission members -- including nominees by the President and House GOP leadership. The commission, which was proposed last year by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), could shed light on how the reliance on private companies has affected U.S. troops in Iraq and the country's livelihood.
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Posted 08/12/2008 01:14pm with
Is John McCain in the pocket of oil companies?
Is John McCain in the pocket of insurance companies?
Is john McCain in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies?
Is John McCain in the pocket of other nations?
Here is a list of lobbyists and employees of major companies working in major positions in the McCain campaign. It will answer any questions you might have about the people who are advising and influencing him.
http://mccainsource.com/corruption?id=0006